United Way kicks off 2012-13 campaign with Pancake Flip, sets goal at $41 million

View full sizeMarvin Fong, Plain Dealer fileVolunteers grill pancakes during the annual United Way Campaign Kickoff and Pancake Flip at Public Square in downtown Cleveland last September.

CLEVELAND, Ohio — With large lights, a video camera and a teleprompter, this was no ordinary studio. It's the lobby of United Way offices in Cleveland on Euclid Avenue.

United Way CEO and president Bill Kitson, and co-chairs Dan Walsh, the Northeast Ohio president of Huntington National Bank, and Rick Chiricosta, president and CEO of Medical Mutual of Ohio, were shooting a commercial Tuesday evening to help launch the 2012-13 United Way Campaign.

The campaign officially begins today with the annual Pancake Flip from 7 to 10 a.m. on the southwest quadrant of Public Square in downtown Cleveland.

This year's goal is $41 million.

Walsh is convinced that the goal is one that can be met because of the generosity of the Cleveland community.

But the region's struggling economy could impact donations.

"We are optimistically cautious of the economy," Chiricosta said.

The United Way has raised $8,218,013 million so far this campaign toward that goal through the United Way's Pacesetter Program. The program runs between campaigns, usually from June to September, to help get a head start on the next campaign. The campaign ends the first week of March.

Last year's campaign raised $40,134,525, which surpassed the $40,125,000 million goal.

"The goal may not sound like very much, but it's a 2 percent increase," Kitson said. "We have to get people to rally around it and get excited about it. We have to get people to think personally of how to get involved and to think 'What role can I play in the community?'"

United Way donations help to empower about 216 programs including those focused on education, family stability and a healthy community.

Kitson said that the United Way wants to "advance the social good."

The unstable economy has definitely caused a increase need for United Way services, especially based on the volume of calls being made to the United Way's 2-1-1 First Call for Help line.

"There have been 240,000 calls this past year," Walsh said. "With the downturn in the economy we have seen that number increase every year. It's a critical time in our city."

Last year's campaign garnered 84,000 individual donors and 1,700 organizations participated. United Way hopes to retain those donors and get even more involved this year.

"It's critical to our success to get companies to participate," said Walsh. "The great thing about Cleveland is there are new companies forming everyday. This will help led to the future success of the community."

The United Way also hopes to gain support with two grant programs: the Challenge Grant and the New and Increased Individual Grants.

Through the Challenge Grant, Medical Mutual will match $2 for every $1, up to $200,000, donated by area companies. Companies must be contributing for the first time.

For new individual donors and those who have increased their donations, Medical Mutual will match dollar for dollar, up to $400,000.

Guitar Mania has also been a great venue in raising money. Through sponsorships and an auction set for Oct. 20, Guitar Mania is expected to bring in $200,000.

Students from the Cleveland Metropolitan School District will help to unveil the campaign goal at 8 this morning at the Pancake Flip.

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